David William Eckles

May 29, 2014

By Staff

July 3, 1942 – May 9, 2014
“The Dash”
The family of David W. Eckles have come together to honor “the dash,” which is the period of his life between birth and death.
David was born to Thelma Elizabeth Collett Eckles and Warren Eugene Eckles, in Yakima. He joined sister Joan Elizabeth (now Bahrenburg), who resides with her husband Alan in Bellevue.
David grew up mostly in Yakima and attended schools there, graduating in 1960 from Eisen-hower High School. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at Eastern Washington State University, and later, his master’s degree from the University of Utah.

David William Eckles

David entered the United States Air Force, where he completed Officer’s Candidate Training and served his country in the states as well as abroad in England and Germany for a period of 13 years. He then moved to the Federal Aviation Administration while in Germany, and returned stateside to continue his service until his retirement in the Seattle District at Renton on Sept. 30, 2003.
David married Karen Hatcher and together they welcomed three children: David Warren, Matthew Garrett and Meredith Mead.
On Aug. 30, 2003, Dave married Jennifer Bloxom and together they welcomed three grandchildren over the next six years: Matthew (Matty), Sophia and Charlie.
David’s children remember their dad’s as a comforting place to share breakfasts, “bald head jokes” when Matthew swam competitively, sharing a love of Star Trek and each of their memories of flying. David’s emphasis of The Golden Rule also ranks high on Matthew’s list. For Meredith, driver’s training, learning blackjack, being encouraged to do flips into the pool and “hints” written on gift cards were among her most beloved memories. They also remember him for his love of his grandson Matty.
David had a great love for travel, serving as co-chair of his and Jennifer’s 50th high school class reunion and subsequent gatherings, their “small group” at Sammamish Presbyterian Church, where they became members in the early autumn of 2003, golfing with friends at SPC in the Fairway to Heaven summer league and ushering at SPC.
David was also involved on Anderson Island in the Oro Bay Yacht Club, as trustee on the board for a number of years. David especially appreciated the ministerial leadership of Pastor Jeff Lincicome at SPC, and the exceptionally talented music worship team led by Kurt Dyrhsen and Rachel Krohn. The highlights of David’s personal life included time spent holding, loving and playing with grandchildren Matty, Sophia and Charlie.
He is survived by his children Warren, Matthew and Meredith (Hubbard); son-in-law Jordan Hubbard and grandson Matty. Also surviving David are his wife Jennifer; her children Susan Muller and Julie Henggeler; Jennifer’s son-in-law Matt Henggeler; and grandchildren Sophia and Charlie.
In addition, David is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Alan, their children and grandchildren, and by a very special first cousin, Fr. Patrick Twohy, RSCJ, of Seattle.
Suggested memorial gifts may be made to the Autism Society of Washington, P.O. Box 503, Olympia, WA 98507-0503, or the charity of your choice.